Pyrmont, also referred to as Pyrmont House, is a residence located on Serpentine Road in Albany in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. It is one of the oldest buildings in Albany.
| Pyrmont | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Former names | Pyrmont House, Great Southern Development Commission |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Cape Dutch style |
| Address | 110 Serpentine Road |
| Town or city | Albany |
| Coordinates | 35°01′18″S 117°52′55″E / 35.0216°S 117.8820°E |
| Completed | 1858 |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 30 August 2002 |
| Reference no. | 44 |
| References | |
| Heritage Council of Western Australia | |
Description
editIt is built of granite and has nine bedrooms and outbuildings.[1] The projecting wings have distinctive curvilinear parapeted gable and bay windows. The roof is made from hipped corrugated iron and topped with rendered brick decorative chimneys. Enclosed in a verandah the building is set on 3,400 square metres (0.840 acres) of low manicured gardens. Pyrmont is based on the South African Cape Dutch Colonial architectural design.[2]
History
editThe building was established in 1858.[2] The name Pyrmont is taken from the small principality in Prussia where Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont (the wife of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany) was from.[2]
Originally constructed as a home for local businessman and representative of P&O Shipping line, Thomas Meadows Gillam, it was later occupied by his son, William. In 1887 the property was purchased by Robert Andrew Muir, who later became Mayor of Albany.[2]
By 1898 the building was being used as a school house by Ms McPherson, who was the principal,[3] and in 1904 was the home of a dress making business.[4] Late the same year the place was for sale.[5]
George Hill acquired the property in 1911 for an estimated £2000 and then 24 hours later sold it to Edward Barnett, apart from a small part of the property which was kept for future development.[6]
Following Barnett's death in 1952 the property was placed on the market,[1] and sold to the Country Women's Association in 1953. The CWA opened Pyrmont as a club facility early the following year.[7] Later they also acquired the adjoining block, which once held tennis courts, and used the area to build their hall.[2] During this time the building was used as a boarding house for young teachers and the grounds used by primary school children as a play area. By 1966 the CWA could no long afford the upkeep and Pyrmont was sold to a local car dealership, Barnesby motors, which used it as a bulk spare parts store.[2] Over a decade later the building was so dilapidated it was mooted for demolition but community opposition prevailed and the building was eventually sold to Robert and Lucy Winlow in 1981.[2] The Winlows restored the building and it was later converted to a reception centre and restaurant by Nilla and John Spark in 1994.[2]
The building was classified by the National Trust in 1977, and listed on the State Register of Heritage Places in 2002.[2]
The Great Southern Development Commission currently occupies the building with offices for 13 staff.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Advertising". The West Australian. Perth. 3 June 1952. p. 21. Retrieved 26 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Pyrmont". InHerit. Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
- ^ "Advertising". Albany Advertiser. Albany, Western Australia. 27 January 1898. p. 2. Retrieved 25 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". Albany Advertiser. Albany, Western Australia. 24 December 1904. p. 4. Retrieved 25 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". Albany Advertiser. Albany, Western Australia. 24 December 1904. p. 1. Retrieved 25 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Local News". Albany Advertiser. Albany, Western Australia. 17 May 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 25 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Albany C.W.A. Club Opens". The West Australian. Perth. 9 January 1954. p. 9. Retrieved 26 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Great Southern Development Commission – About us". Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 25 December 2015.